Unidentified photographer
1843 (ca)
Early scholarly gentleman

Daguerreotype, 1/4 plate
Larry Gottheim, Be-hold, Inc
Courtesy of Larry Gottheim (Auction: Feb 21, 2008, 51, part 1 / lot 1)
 
In a square gold paper mat, in a case with decorated border, ruled lines, flowers in the inner corners, rose silk pad. This is ca. 1843. The gentleman appears full of thought, with his hand supporting his head. The other hand is also fully shown, touching a volume of "UNIVERSAL HISTORY" on the table. His dress is somewhat archaic. The right side of the composition is busy with the hands, arm, table and the studio tassels, while the upper left has only a plain background. The horizontal line to the left of his neck is actually in the scene. I've seen this arrangements of tassels before, but I can't place the studio. This came from and old Baltimore estate.
 
LL/27024